Fortress Australia faces anti-lockdown protests as case numbers rise

As a number of states in Fortress Australia amp up Covid-19 restrictions, authorities remain concerned over rising cases and protests

Covid-19 restrictions are continuing in the Australian cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide today. This comes as so called ‘Fortress Australia’ faces a growing number of cases in New South Wales.

Meanwhile, Victoria’s premier, Daniel Andrews says he is “optimistic.” Victoria plans to lift certain restrictions on Tuesday at midnight. 

Anti-lockdown protests across the country

Over the weekend, thousands of protesters gathered in various cities around the nation to protest Covid-19 stay at home orders. 

It comes as some residents dub the nation “fortress Australia” over harsh border policies. These have seen the country largely cut off from most parts of the world for months. 

Marc Stears from Sydney Uni’s policy labs believes “Australians have been willing to put up with restrictions which elsewhere in the democratic world would have been entirely politically impossible”. 

Australia’s vaccine rollout

A recent ABC survey found that around 80 percent of residents are comfortable with strong border policies until authorities bring the pandemic under control.

It comes as the country’s total vaccination rate stands at 11 percent – making it the lowest ranking OECD nation for vaccination rollout.